The most fun month in Portugal is undoubtedly June, when a series of holidays begins in honor of the most revered saints - Santos Populares. Basil, sardines, concerts and marches. What happens in June in Lisbon and the history of the feast of Saint Anthony?
The honor to open noisy festivities falls Santo Antonio. The day he is venerated is June 13, but already on the eve of June 12, festive festivities take over the streets of Lisbon and the brightest night of the year comes. Noite de Santo Antonio.
The next baton is taken by the second largest city in Portugal - Porto, where on a grand scale on the night of June 24-25 they celebrate São João do Porto holiday dedicated to John the Baptist. Closes the festive parade on June 29 St. Peter's Day Sao Pedro, which is celebrated in different towns of the country: festive processions and concerts in Sintra, Evora and Porto de Mos and other cities of the country.
All holidays are accompanied by street festivities, concerts, cheerful crowds, beer, wine, delicious Portuguese food.
In this article, we will tell you more about what happens in Lisbon in June. A few years ago, in June, only one day, June 13, was noisily celebrated in Lisbon. However, the residents of the capital were so carried away by the holiday that it all turned into a whole month of street festivities. The most enchanting holiday, like a cherry on a cake, is still the night of St. Anthony, but let's talk about everything in order.
Who is Saint Anthony
Born in Lisbon, between 1191-1195. on the street Pedras Negras, next to the Cathedral of Se . He was brought up in a noble family and his name was Fernando de Bulhões. On the site of the house where he was born and spent his childhood, is now Igreja de Santo Antonio, the relic of the Saint is also kept there.
In youth Fernando asks permission to join the Order of St. Augustine in the church Igreja de São Vicente de Fora. Later he moved to the city Coimbra where he studies theology. The search for enlightenment leads him to the Franciscan order. Fernando takes the name Antonio, in honor of the hermit Santo Antao and devotes himself to preaching the holy scriptures. Especially after moving to Italy.
In Rimini in Italy, Saint Anthony tried to preach the Holy Word to heretics. He was such a success that even the fishes listened to his sermons.
Saint Anthony is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. His images can be found in Portuguese, Italian, Brazilian churches, as well as in the south of France. There was a time when the image of Saint Anthony was printed in Portuguese escudos.
Miracles of Saint Anthony
One day, while Anthony was preaching from the ocean, the fish came to listen to him. This is even dedicated to the canvas of tiles in the Cathedral of Lisbon.
He restored an entire field of wheat, which had been trampled down by the crowd following him.
He miraculously protected the listeners of his sermons from the rain.
He implanted the amputated leg of a young man.
When the heretics poisoned the Saint's food, trying to test his holiness, he signed the food with a cross and did not get poisoned.
The image of St. Anthony is usually depicted with the boy Jesus in his arms, this happened due to the fact that during one of the sermons, the boy Jesus appeared next to him.
When was he canonized?
His canonization turned out to be one of the most record-breaking. After António's death, the church in the city of Padua became a center of pilgrimage: people from different parts came for help, after an incredible number of healings, the bishop asked Pope Gregory IX to begin the process of canonization. Saint Anthony was canonized on May 30, 1232.
700 years later, in 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Saint Anthony Church Teacher.
Why is June 13th celebrated?
Saint Anthony died on June 13, 1231 in Italy, in the place Arcella, Near Padua. His body was buried in the church Santa Maria Mater Domini in the town Padua. 40 years after the completion of construction Basilica de Santo Antonio, his tomb was opened and it was stated that the language of the saint had not changed. Which in the eyes of believers was another proof of his holiness and that he was a preacher from God. The tongue of Saint António was placed in a reliquary.
Anthony of Padua or Saint Anthony of Lisbon?
In fact, we are talking about the same Saint. Saint Anthony was born and raised in Lisbon, lived and died in Padua. In Italy, they consider him theirs, in Portugal, no one doubts that the Saint is from Lisbon. But the best answer to this question was given by Pope Leo XIII: "This is the Saint of the whole world". And it's true, St. Anthony is revered in many countries of the world, not only Catholic, but also Muslim.
St. Anthony was and is a people's Saint. He was treated with great familiarity, this led to various incidents. For example, if the request was not fulfilled, the image of the Saint was subjected to peculiar punishments: the image with the Saint was placed face down on the floor and pressed down with a stone. They buried it in the ground, took the figurine of the baby Jesus from their hands.
It was believed that punishment would speed up the process of fulfilling the petition. This was explained by the fact that Saint Anthony in his youth wanted to die a martyr's death for his faith. Some traditions arose from this, for example, in Brazil, girls of marriageable age took the boy Jesus from the statue of St. Anthony and returned it only after they got married.
Is Saint Anthony the patron saint of Lisbon?
The answer to this question is not simple. The main patron of the Patriarchate of Lisbon is São Vicente de Saragoça(Saint Vincent of Saragossa), while Santo Antonio is the main patron of the city of Lisbon. Saint Anthony is also the second patron of Portugal.
Traditions of Saint Anthony's Day
This holiday is celebrated on a larger scale than the New Year, and is a day off. Over the years, the celebration has developed its own traditions: Marchas Populares(folk parade) Casamentos de Santo Antonio(weddings of St. Anthony), inalienable attributes of the holiday - ceramic pots with manjerico(a type of basil), bright garlands that decorate the city, and the most important symbol - grilled sardines, which are cooked on every corner, so much so that the haze covers the city.
Since recently, sardines are not only fried, the holiday is preceded by a competition for the best and unusual design of these fish, in which professionals and amateurs from all over the world participate. Winning sardines become symbols of the holiday, they are printed and decorated with the city.
Why sardines? This is a question we get asked very often. The answer is actually simple: by this time, the sardines have reached the desired size and have managed to build up a sufficient amount of fat. Before cooking, sardines must be seasoned with coarse salt, allowed to brew a little, and then laid out on a grate over properly heated coals.
The fat from the fish begins to render, making the sardines juicy. People from all over the world come to enjoy this dish. It seems that over the centuries of celebration, the Portuguese have some gene responsible for properly cooked sardines.
Another essential attribute of the feast of St. Anthony in Lisbon is a bush manzherik, known as the "plant of lovers". The fragrant, green, ball-shaped basil bush adorns the streets, bars and restaurants of Lisbon in June.
According to tradition, young people give this plant to their lovers. A bush usually decorates a love message. To give a manzherik is the same as a declaration of love.
Basil is very tender, so that the plant does not wither, you cannot smell it, in order to feel the aroma, you must carefully run your hand over the green leaves and bring your hand to your nose. Girls who receive such a gift should take care of the plant until next year.
In many areas of Lisbon, special zones are being created for celebration -. A stage is set up there, additional zones for cooking are set up, it is in such places that folk festivals take place.
If earlier such zones were created only in ancient areas, such as Alfama, Madragoa and Mouraria, today in almost every area there are at least a few places. Concerts will be held there not only on the night of June 12-13. Throughout June, from Thursday to Sunday, there will be music, wine poured into glasses and grills smoking.
We have prepared a map for you, where you can find the nearest Arayal to you, see the days of operation and succumb to the street fun.
Saint Anthony is also the patron saint of lovers.
There is a legend according to which a girl from a poor family turned to Anthony with a request for help: she wanted to marry her neighbor Philip. The problem was that the girl had no dowry. This request moved the Saint very much, and he said that it was best to leave it in the hands of the Lord. But in secret, Saint Atony began to keep the donations of believers.
When the necessary amount had accumulated, St. Anthony put the money in a bag, wrote a note "This is a dowry that will allow the bride to marry" and threw it into the house of a poor girl.
Following the tradition of helping couples walk down the aisle, every year the Lisbon municipality organizes the Marriage of Saint Anthony for couples who cannot afford the ceremony.
To become one of the lucky ones, you need to apply, is it worth saying that the number of applicants goes off scale every year, because the wedding takes place in the main cathedral of Lisbon on June 12 at 12 a.m. This event is even broadcast live on television.
This is a costumed carnival in which various areas of Lisbon take part.
The idea of this parade is to show the unity of the soul of Alfacinha (Lisbon) with the feast of Saint Anthony. The tradition began in 1932. Only 3 districts took part in the first parade: Alto do Pina, Bairro Alto and Campo de Ourique.
By 1934, the number increased to 12 districts and eight hundred participants, and about 300 thousand people watched the parade. The tradition of marches was stopped and then resumed, but since the 80s it has existed continuously, and every year this event is becoming more colorful and large-scale.
Traditionally, the parade takes place on June 12th. But preparations begin long before X-day. Everyone, from young to old, participates in the parade.
In a few months, they begin to prepare costumes and their performances, both musical and choreographic. They try to keep it secret from competing areas in order to be unique and unrepeatable.
You can see all the riot of colors and fantasy on the evening of June 12 at 21:00. The parade starts from the Marquess of Pombal Square. Grandstands are installed along Avenida da Liberdade, tickets for which must be purchased in advance. The marches can also be watched for free, in order to take the best places along the fence, people gather several hours before the start.
Saint Anthony's Night
The peak of the holiday is the night of St. Anthony, when it seems that the whole city is not sleeping. The narrow streets of Alfama are filled with people, so dense that a trip on the 28 tram at rush hour will seem like entertainment.
Sardines do not fry, only lazy. The locals take out their small barbecues and fry fish right next to the entrance.
If you are going to walk this evening through the old districts of Lisbon, then be prepared for the fact that the smell of fried sardines will become your perfume for the next evening. This is an indescribable atmosphere of a simple and bright holiday, which the inhabitants of Lisbon are waiting for the whole year.
St. Anthony's Day celebration program in Lisbon (Festas de Lisboa)
in different parts of the city
Collective exhibition of the thrones of St. Anthony
Like last year, the proposal to revive the tradition and create the thrones of St. Anthony was enthusiastically received by both children and adults. On the 4th and 5th, a special exhibition-competition will be held in the city, but many works will remain on public display until the end of the holidays.
Largo do Intendente, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Time Out Market
Atlantic Swing Festival
The swing festival of vintage music and dance will be held under the theme "What We Dance is Life". Dance workshops, music and many many dances are waiting for you.
St. George's Castle, 10:00 pm
Fado in the castle
Popular fado performers will give a free concert at the castle. Tickets will be issued at the box office on the day of the concert at 20:00. The number of tickets is limited. This year each of the concerts will be special.
Tagus river, 19:00
Regatta Sails of Lisbon (Regata Sails of Lisbon)
Sails of Lisbon is the most popular regatta in Portugal. In 2016, 80 sailing yachts will take part in the competition. The regatta will continue after sunset. It will be an unforgettable sight that can be observed from the shore.
Saint Antonio Abada lived in Egypt in the III-IV centuries. and cared for sick animals, even carnivores.
He is considered the patron saint of pets and a healer of gangrene. Saint's day in Orthodoxy on January 17 of the new style.
Throughout Spain, festive processions take place, in which the owners, accompanied by their dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, colorfully decorated with ribbons and bells, walk around the temple, after which the priest from the porch blesses them, sprinkled with holy water. At the head of such processions is usually a horseman with a sculpted figure. Saint Anthony in hand. It is followed by musicians and dancers dressed in national costumes.
Festive events in honor of Saint Anthony usually accompanied by "brotherly feasts". In the evenings, by the fires and braziers, arranged right on the street, the organizers of the holiday distribute fried meat and sausage to everyone. Such meetings are often attended by local residents who have dispersed to different parts of the country, who use the holiday to visit their native places and old friends.
Previously, such holidays were held only on the day of the saint - January 17th. Now they are stretching for a month - from January 10 to February 10, since in Spain there are not enough priests for all the churches, and they alternately bless pets in different parishes. Holidays in honor of the saint, which especially delight children, will end with grandiose fireworks.
On the day of St. Anthony the patron Spaniards pamper their pets.
Venerable Anthony the Great lived in the III-IV century. His parents were rich, noble and, moreover, pious people. They raised their son in the fear of God. The young man loved to read the Word of God and tried to apply it to life. At 20, he lost his parents. Having settled his sister, he himself wished to retire from the world. Hearing the words of Christ in the temple: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come and follow Me” (Matthew 19:21), St. Anthony accepted them for the call of God, sold his property, distributed it to the poor, and settled in the desert near an old man. Seeking perfect solitude, he swam across the River Nile and settled in a cave. Here he devoted himself to contemplation, prayer, fasting and labor. The life of a young hermit was hard. He had to endure both cold and heat, and at the same time various temptations from the devil. The devil tried his best to survive St. Anthony from the desert: appeared to him in the form of lions, wolves, snakes and scorpions, which rushed into his cave. Holy prayer and the sign of the cross repelled the intrigues of the evil spirit. “Lord, teach me how to be saved; thoughts bother me!” - exclaimed Anthony to God and saw before him a man who worked and then prayed. It was an angel sent by God to guide Anthony means of salvation. After 20 years of exploits Saint Anthony finally reached a bright and calm state of mind, and then the Lord was pleased to reveal the righteous man to people for their salvation. Having learned about the saint, many came to him: some for instruction, and others for living under his guidance. Thus, many monastic cloisters and sketes appeared in the wilderness, and Anthony was the leader of the monks who lived in these monasteries and sketes. St. Anthony He spent 85 years in seclusion, and during all this time he left the desert only twice and appeared in Alexandria: once to strengthen Christians during the persecution from Maximilian, and another time to counteract the heresy of Arius. During this time, he performed many miracles. "How can you live in the desert without books?" - asked Anthony one scientist. “My book is nature, which is always with me,” he answered. St. Anthony wrote many letters to different persons. When the end of the life of the holy ascetic came, he gave instruction to his disciples and ordered not to bury him in Egypt with a vain couple, but to bury him in the desert. He died in 356 at the age of 105. Saint Anthony is venerated founder of the desert monastic life.
Prayer to Saint Anthony the Great
O great servant of God, Reverend Father Anthony! As if you had boldness to the Lord Christ and to His Most Pure Mother, be about us, unworthy (names), a warm prayer book, interceding us from all troubles and misfortunes, but with your prayers we will be unharmed from enemies visible and invisible. Pray for God's mercy, may it save us from our sins, in the image of fate.
Saint Anthony of Padua, perhaps the most revered saint of the Catholic Church. In the world of Fernando de Bulhoes, canonized in 1232. The day of the memory of the saint is usually celebrated on June 13th.
For believers, Saint Anthony is an amazing person and priest, an eloquent preacher and theologian, and also a miracle worker. With his hands, the Lord performed numerous miracles for people in order to show them his strength, glory and power. Even sinners, helping them to embark on the true path and turn their faces to the Lord. Catholics often turn in their prayers to St. Anthony. It is the patron saint of the desperate, marriage and lovers. Assistant in finding the lost faith and spiritual values. He is also the patron saint of livestock and other animals. Saint Anthony's Day is celebrated throughout Europe. In different countries there are interesting customs and traditions associated with this day.
In Portugal, Anthony's Day is celebrated every year. This is a public holiday. Saint Anthony has long been called the protector of this city, because he was born here. From June 12 to 14, festive events are held in different cities of Portugal. Folk marches and festivities, in which, in specially tailored colorful costumes, city residents put on performances and sing songs, and traditional treats are prepared on the streets. There are even competitions between different regions for the most beautiful costume, the best scene or song.
Also, simultaneous, mass wedding ceremonies are timed to this day. After all, Saint Anthony among the Portuguese is the patron saint of strong marriages. This tradition started back in 1958. In recent years alone, more than 240 couples have gotten married at the same time. On the eve of the holiday, young people traditionally tell fortunes and ask for help in finding true love.
In Spain, this saint's day is traditionally celebrated on January 17th. The Spaniards especially revere Antony as the patron saint of livestock. On this day, in different parts of Spain, from Madrid to Valencia, pets are colorfully dressed, decorated with bells, bows, ribbons, and traditional festive processions are held. Also throughout the country, animal owners, accompanied by their piglets, cats, rabbits, dogs, and horses, go to church. They pass around the temple and line up near, waiting for the blessing of the priest and the sprinkling of holy water.
On the streets of cities on this day it is customary to feed animals. In the villages, there is a ritual with a centuries-old history, during which men and women on horseback jump over a blazing fire.
In Russia, the feast of Anthony is celebrated on June 13. The Orthodox Church reveres Anthony very much. On icons, this saint is depicted with a lily and a book, which mean morality and enlightenment, respectively.
(~251–~356)
Childhood and adolescence of St. Anthony
The Monk Anthony the Great was an Egyptian by birth. He was born in 251, in a noble, wealthy family, in the village of Coma (near Heliopolis).
Anthony's parents were Christians, and he grew up and was brought up on the Testaments of Christ. Anthony spent his early childhood in his parents' house. When he reached adolescence, and it was supposed to give him to learn to read and write, he preferred to stay closer to his parents, not wanting to leave his father's house or communicate with his peers.
In general, he was an obedient child, willingly visited God's temple with his mother and father, listening attentively to what was read there. Despite the enviable family budget, Antony was not a spoiled child, did not demand exquisite dishes and other excesses, he was content with what they gave, but they gave, for pedagogical purposes, moderately.
Call of God
Upon the death of his parents, Anthony remained in charge. On his shoulders lay the care of the household and his little sister. By that time, he was quite an adult (according to ancient sources, he was from 18 to 20 years old).
A few months after he was orphaned, an incident happened to him that had a profound effect on his future life. One day Antony, according to custom and the inclination of his heart, went to the temple. Along the way, he gave himself up to reflections: he remembered the apostles who left everything and followed Christ, he remembered those believers who, selling property, brought the funds handed over and humbly laid before the Lord's disciples.
As soon as he stepped outside the threshold of God's temple, he heard words that sounded as if from the lips of the Redeemer Himself. These were words from the Gospel, addressed to a rich young man, which he uttered and which formed the basis of one of the most important monastic vows - non-possession. The meaning of these lofty words - whoever wants to be perfect must sell what he has and follow the Savior - Antony took as close as if they were addressed to him personally.
Leaving the temple, he immediately sold everything that he inherited from his deceased parents (and this was a lot: only fertile land - dozens of hectares), distributed part of the funds to local residents so that neither his sister nor himself would be disturbed, he left part to his sister, and distributed some to the poor.
Once again, entering the temple of the Lord (shortly after what happened), Anthony heard other words from the Gospel, which disposed to rely on Providence, and again took them to himself. He immediately returned, distributed the rest of the property to the poor, entrusted his sister to the care of the virtuous virgins who lived in the monastery, and, having settled down near his native home, indulged in solitude and prayerful deeds.
Hermitage
Barely embarking on the path of a strict ascetic life, the Monk Anthony did not have the proper spiritual experience and needed the advice of wise people. For the sake of these councils, from time to time he left his place of solitude and went in search of those whom he heard about as zealots of truth and virtue. Having received a wise instruction from this or that righteous man, he returned and continued to practice asceticism.
Step by step, enriching his experience with grains of wisdom taught and attentive observations of the way of life of God's saints, he replenished it also by observing himself: he listened to his own thoughts, thoughts, desires.
At the same time, the Monk Anthony was engaged in physical labor. So he earned a living, and from the surplus he donated to those in need.
The inhabitants of the surroundings, seeing the virtue of Antony, treated him with respect and love.
Gradually Antony accustomed himself to more difficult feats. He often spent entire nights in prayerful vigil. He ate once a day after sunset, but it happened that once every two days, and even once every four days. His only food was bread and salt, and he only drank water. As a rule, he slept right on the bare ground, and covered himself with matting.
Deciding to exacerbate the feat of solitude, Saint Anthony withdrew to the tombs. Then, choosing one from several, he imprisoned himself in it, blocking the entrance with a large stone. Previously, he agreed with a friend that he would bring him bread. While in the tomb, the saint experienced many temptations, but with the assistance from above, he managed to overcome them and not only stood on the path of salvation, but also became stronger in spirit, grew in spiritual age.
According to some estimates, the Monk Anthony labored in the tombs for about 15 years, then, in 285, he retired to a mountain located east of the Nile. There he lived and worked, glorifying God, for 20 years.
When he was just looking for a place to build a dwelling, he discovered a fenced, completely neglected place. People have not lived there for a long time; the place was filled with reptiles. But as soon as this deserted place became the place of residence and exploits of the monk, the reptiles withdrew, as if they had been expelled from there by some mighty force.
Anthony, having taken care of food in advance and having with him a six-month supply of bread (he ate extremely meagerly), took refuge inside (he got water for drinking right there). In the future, bread was brought to him twice a year.
From time to time people came to him looking for a meeting, but they were not allowed inside the fence. Sometimes they spent several days outside. If it was God's will, Antony talked with those who came through a small window.
Once regular visitors, not expecting it themselves, heard that a strange noise was coming from behind the fence, as if there was a large crowd in the inner territory: knocking, screaming, moaning. Amidst this strange uproar, quite distinct words were also caught: someone urgently demanded that the saint get out of the desert and quickly. Peering through the hole in the wall and not finding anyone outside the fence, those who heard understood that those knocking and screaming were demons. Frightened, the people, of course, began to shout, to call Saint Anthony, and he, approaching the door from the inside, advised them to rely on God, not to fall into fear, and leave.
Over time, more and more people began to reach out to Anthony. Many sought to imitate his life, wanted to settle near him. One day, wanting to meet the holy pilgrim, people took and broke down the locked doors. And then Anthony came out to the audience. By that time, he had spent about 20 years in voluntary imprisonment (in a fortress).
Many of those present received healing then, demons were cast out of someone. In addition, with an inspired speech, the ascetic consoled the suffering, reconciled those in a quarrel; convinced someone to take the monastic path. Since that time, those wishing to embark on the monastic path began to settle in the local mountains, and monasteries began to appear. Anthony, moved by the will of God, took spiritual leadership over them. Monasteries were mostly arranged in the likeness of sketes.
Around the year 308, under Maximian, another persecution of the Church was launched: Christian blood flowed. When the holy martyrs were led to Alexandria, the Monk Anthony followed them. He was ready to die for Christ, but did not want to provoke the authorities on his own, contrary to Providence. During this period, he courageously ministered to confessors kept in dungeons in the mines. He supported those who were drawn to the court with a word, calling for steadfastness in faith and zeal.
The judge, seeing the valor of Saint Anthony and the monks who were with him, ordered that they not appear at the court, and even left the city altogether. Many then considered it best to hide. Anthony, however, washed his clothes and the next day, as if challenging the tormentors, he appeared before the hegemon in everything clean. But God was not pleased with his quick death.
After the martyr's death of the bishop, the Monk Anthony left Alexandria and, secluded, devoted himself to asceticism in his monastery.
Meanwhile, many were looking for a meeting with him: someone for instruction, someone for healing, someone for other reasons. Seeing that people go and go, he, seeking peace and not wanting to be thought highly of him, decided to move to the Upper Thebaid, where no one knew him and did not expect him. But when he was sitting on the shore, waiting for a passing ship, the Lord turned to him and said that if he really seeks peace, let him go to the inner desert.
Due to the fact that Anthony did not know the way to the appointed place, the Lord ordered him to join the Saracens, which he did. Three days later, Antony saw a mountain surrounded by a plain, on which grew several palm trees; Under the mountain there was a spring with cool and clean water. He liked the place; he realized that this was the very place to which the voice from above had indicated. Here Anthony stayed, arranged a cell for himself, indulged in prayer, contemplation and work. Subsequently, this mountain became known as the Internal or Antoniev.
The Saracens, passing along this route, delivered bread to Anthony. Over time, in order not to burden anyone with the delivery of food, Antony cultivated a piece of land and sowed wheat. But people still went. Then he began to grow vegetables, so that those who came, after a difficult journey, could strengthen their strength.
When wild animals began to annoy the monk with frequent damage to the garden, he mercifully caught one and ordered him to tell the others in the name of the Lord so that they would no longer approach the crops and beds and do no harm. After this incident, the animals, all as one, began to bypass the gardens.
When Antony grew old and became weak in the flesh, the pious brethren asked him for permission to bring him vegetables, oil, and olives once a month. According to the Life of the saint, he gave to those who brought (as if paying) baskets that he made with his own hands.
One day the brethren asked Anthony to visit their monastery, and he agreed. Along the way, they ran out of water and died of thirst. And then God, through the prayer of the saint, performed a miracle: in the place where he prayed, a source of drinking water broke through. After spending a short time among the monastics, Anthony returned to the Inner Mountain and continued to perform his exploits there.
However, from time to time he left this place for various reasons, for the sake of pleasing God.
Gradually, more and more people began to turn to Anthony. Someone he healed, someone admonished.
Over time, the rumor about the great ascetic reached the ears of the king and his sons. Those wishing to receive wise guidance from the ascetic wrote letters to him. Anthony, however, refused to accept these letters, explaining to those present that one should be surprised not at the attention of the king and his sons, who compiled the letters, but at God, who wrote the law and revealed himself through the Only Begotten Son. And only by the intervention of the monks, who introduced Antony that those kings help Christians, but could be tempted if the messages were ignored, Antony sent a reply.
Anthony learned about the approach of death in advance. Before his blissful death, he visited the monks who lived on the "Outer Mountain", warned them that he would soon leave this world and gave them the last parting word. They began to tearfully beg him to stay and accept death in their monastery. But he refused and returned to the Inner Mountain.
A few months later he fell ill, and just before his death, he called on two monks who lived with him (due to extreme old age) and served, in a Christian way, said goodbye to them and bequeathed to bury his body in the ground. In the year 355 or 356 (commemoration day: January 17), the Monk Anthony peacefully departed to the Lord.
St. Anthony's struggle with the devil's wiles
Even at the very beginning of Antony’s ascetic life, the hater of the good and the envious, the devil, knowing about his successes on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven and not wanting to put up with it, raised a scolding against him, began to create all kinds of stumbling blocks, to twist fetters, to scatter nets.
At first he tried to tempt the monk, evoking memories of wealth; inspiring thoughts about the abandoned sister, about comforts, delicious dishes, the weakness of the flesh and the many difficulties of the monastic career. To all these intrigues, the saint opposed heartfelt prayer, fortitude of spirit, sincere faith and firm hope in God, unbending love.
Not content with defeat, the devil took on a female form and appeared to Anthony at night, but instead of being inflamed with lustful passion, he was inflamed with zeal for the Lord, brought to mind the thought of hellfire and quenched the heat of satanic seduction.
The devil, seeing that he did not overcome, but was himself overcome by a zealous ascetic, called on spirits friendly to him, appeared to Anthony at night and beat him so severely that he was left lying on the ground without signs of life. According to the reverend, these beatings were so painful that they could not be compared with the pain caused by beatings from people. The Lord did not leave the saint without help and comfort. Anthony was healed and continued to glorify Vladyka with new exploits.
Annoyed, Satan, torn with malice and hatred, again proceeded to the ascetic. This time he planned to break the will of the saint, bringing him to a state of desperate horror. For this purpose, a shaking thunder was produced in the middle of the night, from which the walls of Antony's dwelling seemed to disintegrate. At that moment, demons in the form of wild, ferocious beasts rushed at the ascetic from different sides. With all their appearance, the animals showed that they were ready to pounce on Antony: the lion grouped itself for a jump; the wolf bared his grin; the serpent writhed, preparing to attack; the ox strained to gore.
Wounded by uninvited visitors, Anthony experienced severe physical pain, but without fear in his soul. Finally, he exposed the demons, telling them that if they really had power, it would be enough to come alone; but since there are many of them, it means that God has taken away their strength. Then, guarding himself with the shield of faith, he added that if they were able to inflict on him what they frightened him with, let them attack him; if they do not have such power, there is nothing to try. After this courageous statement, the roof seemed to open and a beam of light penetrated through the vacated space. The demons became invisible, the pain disappeared, the dwelling took on its former appearance. Anthony gave himself up to prayer, God encouraged him, and the disgraced spirits dispersed like smoke.
The next time, the devil contrived to present Antony with a silver dish, meaning to deceive him through the thought of avarice. But when the monk realized a vile trick in this and said that the dish would be to the devil in perdition, the dish disappeared.
Once the demons visited Antony in a phantom of light, trying to convince him that they were from God. But Antony closed his eyes and indulged in prayer, after which the light disappeared. On another occasion, Satan, seeking to break the spirit of Anthony, called himself God and the Providence of God. However, this ploy also failed.
It happened that the devil sent a flock of ferocious hyenas against the saint. But Anthony did not flinch, and the Lord did not allow His creatures to pounce on Anthony, and they left where they came from.
Many other intrigues were built for him by the enemy; he repelled them by faith, hope and prayer.
Spiritual legacy
Anthony the Great was not a church writer in the traditional sense of the word. Despite this, many of his teachings have come down to us, compiled by one or another philanthropist. Other benefits include:
